Leeds United vs Crystal Palace

The closely-contested battle for Premier League survival is heating up as Leeds United and Crystal Palace go head-to-head at Elland Road.

Leeds United came from behind to beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 last time out, handing new manager Javi Garcia his third win in only six Premier League games in charge of the ‘Whites’ (W3, D1, L2). And while that result propelled Leeds to 12th in the table, their relegation battle is far from over, with only two points separating them from 18th-placed Bournemouth at the start of this round. Palace’s visit may help the Yorkshire outfit build momentum as they’ve won their last seven home meetings with the London side in all competitions, including a pair of victories ‘to nil’ since regaining top-flight status in 2020. However, there’s a downside, as the ‘Whites’ are winless in their last nine Premier League encounters against London clubs (D2, L7).

In the meantime, Crystal Palace’s life under new manager Roy Hodgson was off to a flying start as they overcame Leicester City 2-1 at home last weekend to finally get off the mark in 2023. Not only were they winless in their first 12 Premier League matches of the new calendar year (D5, L7), but they had lost four in a row before dispatching Leicester. However, the ‘Eagles’ have taken just one point from their six league travels in 2023 (D1, L5), scoring a measly average of 0.5 goals per game in that sequence. Palace’s woeful away form may hinder their bid to complete their first league double over Leeds since 1985/86 following a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park. Overall, the visitors have managed just two triumphs in their 14 Premier League away games this season (D4, L8), casting further doubt on their prospects in Yorkshire.